Whether we realize it or not, precious stones have a perpetual spot in our hearts and minds. Be it through grandma’s most precious emerald brooch or your dad’s first diamond studded watch, or your dream solitaire. But do we ever realize that there could be so much more to our favorite gemstones than just joyful nostalgia or wishful thinking? From granting invisibility to absorbing all negativity, we give you the special significance of seven of the most famous gems and how you can wear or gift them.

1) Sapphire

Many cultures believe that Sapphire protects its wearers from accidents and natural calamities. The stone is also said to soothe the harrowed mind. Many people (especially soon-to-be married couples) are choosing sapphire over diamond as it is cheaper, without falling short of beauty and quality. Sapphire is also said to symbolize the eternal fire of love. It seemed to be Princess Diana’s preferred stone too. She wore it as a sapphire-diamond ring. You can do the same, as wedding bands or anniversary or birthday gifts. Sapphire rings look stunning on not just women, but men too!

2) Ruby

A cousin to Sapphire, very few things are as mesmerizing as the Ruby. Ruby is as strong as it is beautiful (it is the second hardest natural mineral). Ruby is often considered as the stone of contentment, and is regarded as a symbol of success, passion, loyalty and sincerity. It is also said to offer insight and ward off negativity. This stone looks perfectly elegant on women and just as royal on men. Rubies set in elegantly cast gold earrings or necklaces for women, and heavy set silver rings for men symbolize the very epitome of grandeur.

3) Onyx

The Onyx effortlessly exudes simplicity, edge and a dark charisma. Onyx is said to be the separator. It separates the bad from the good, the darkness from the light, grief from happiness. In olden times, Onyx was considered to grant its wearer with sharp senses, stealth and invisibility. Of late, this stone seems to be a growing favorite among many men due to this its perfect balance of boldness and class. For the perfect anniversary or birthday gift for him, look no further than an Onyx ring set in sterling silver.

4) Emerald

The rich green color of the Emerald instantly brings to mind prosperity. However in ancient cultures, this stone was considered as a symbol of stability and genuine affection. It is also said to make the brain sharper. The lush color of this stone also greatly represents “eternal spring” and was Queen Cleopatra’s favorite gemstone. The beauty of Emeralds is that they look grand set in anything- be it gold or silver jewelry. An emerald brooch set in silver is the perfect gift to make the lady feel like the perfect queen, while gold and emerald cufflinks or an emerald set in a gold ring makes the man a king to match.

5) Diamond

The world’s hardest substance, the purest form of carbon, a girl’s best friend; diamond is the crown prince of all positive superlatives. And it deserves every bit of it all. Because diamonds are so clear and pure, it comes as no surprise that it is believed to be a symbol of purity, thus becoming the symbol for the purest form of emotions- love. This explains why it is the most preferred stone for the holy bond of matrimony. That, and the fact that they can be carried off by both the sexes with equal panache, in almost every form- right from watches to solitaires to even pens! After all, who can resist these sparkly little splinters of stars fallen from up above.

Josh Ferdinand designs fashion jewelry and is extremely good at that. In today’s post, he has shed light on some of the most precious gemstones in the world and has also talked about their significance.